Gareth Southgate given the hurry-up over making a decision on his future as England boss after World Cup quarter-final exit, with FA wanting an answer soon with just two months before the Three Lions begin Euro 2024 campaign
Gareth Southgate will be asked for a quick decision over his future by the FA to give his employers time to find a replacement if required.
The England manager is taking a break with his family after returning from Qatar following England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat against France, with talks with FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott are planned for early in the new year.
Southgate waited for four months after last year’s European Championship defeat to Italy to re-commit himself to the job by signing a two-year contract extension last November, but time will be of the essence this time around.
England boss Gareth Southgate will be asked to make a quick decision on his future by the FA
Southgate is taking a break after the Three Lions were knocked out of the World Cup by France
The 52-year-old is conscious of not leaving the FA in the lurch just two months before England begin their European Championship campaign with a difficult away game in Italy, and 18 months before the tournament itself.
Southgate’s decision will ultimately be based on whether he has sufficient appetite and determination to take his side forward after six years in the job, but his loyalty to an organisation who first appointed him as director of elite development 12 years ago will also be a factor.
The FA have no succession plans in place and a shortage of credible English candidates, with Eddie Howe and Graham Potter committed to Newcastle and Chelsea respectively.
The FA have no succession plans in place and a shortage of credible English candidates, with Eddie Howe and Graham Potter (pictured) committed to Newcastle and Chelsea respectively
Southgate will not push for a new contract having signed an extension taking him through to the 2024 European Championship last year.
Although badly shaken by the criticism he received from fans during last summer’s UEFA Nations League, particularly the loud booing that followed a 4-0 defeat to Hungary at Molineux in June, he has been hearted by England’s development since and believes they can continue to improve.
Southgate will also speak to senior players after his Christmas break, although most of them have already made it clear publicly that they want him to stay.
